How To Become An Advanced Engineer: What It Is and Career Path

What is an advanced engineer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Daniel Armentrout

The duties of advanced engineers vary from one place of work to the other. The general duties are to research project requirements, design and develop systems, and establish guidelines and strategies for maximal effectiveness. Advanced engineers oversee staff operations, monitor their progress, and conduct skills assessments to identify their strengths and weaknesses. The engineer must maintain a broad knowledge of product design, manufacture, and assembly techniques. To get to the position of an advanced engineer, you would usually start as a senior engineer. An advanced engineer had a broader scope of knowledge and more experience.

Advanced engineers make an average of $45 hourly and an annual salary of $93995. They must, however, have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in an engineering program. Nonetheless, at this level, most possess master's degrees and some Ph. D. Analytical and research skills, project management, dexterity, and experience are all vital to the productivity of an advanced engineer.

What general advice would you give to an advanced engineer?

Daniel Armentrout

Clinical Associate Professor/Associate Chair

The excessive number of baby boomer engineers are retiring at high rates and you as a new engineering graduate are desperately needed to make up for their loss in the workforce. You will face challenges in your career we could not anticipate or prepare you for in your education. You will have to adapt and continue to learn new fields of study which did not exist when you graduated. We have given you tools to learn and you will have to use those tools to remain relevant throughout your career. Find your place as an engineer when you can be effective, help humanity, and have fun. Plot a career path where you can utilize your strengths and challenge your mind to do new things. Contribute to making a better world and you will be able to enjoy immense satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment.

ScoreAdvanced EngineerUS Average

Salary

6.7

Avg. Salary $85,139

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.5

Growth rate 10%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.7

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.17%

Asian 14.19%

Black or African American 4.59%

Hispanic or Latino 11.27%

Unknown 3.93%

White 65.85%

Gender

female 11.24%

male 88.76%

Age - 41

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41

Stress level

7.5

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.3

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

5.1

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become an advanced engineer

Explore advanced engineer education requirements

Most common advanced engineer degrees

Bachelor's

66.1 %

Master's

16.8 %

Associate

11.7 %

Start to develop specific advanced engineer skills

Skills	Percentages
C++	10.88%
Python	9.27%
MATLAB	6.80%
Java	6.53%
Technical Support	6.16%

Complete relevant advanced engineer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New advanced engineers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an advanced engineer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real advanced engineer resumes.

Research advanced engineer duties and responsibilities

Lead several VA projects for exit devices and door locks generating [] cost savings.
Manage build of three dispense systems that integrate Davol supply screen printers with custom fixtures with a PLC control gantry system.
Achieve Kaizen objectives, including optimizing Shipping/Receiving space, maximizing SMT running time and eliminating costly and unnecessary processes.
Complete sigma cycle time measurements for an entire assembly line process.

Apply for advanced engineer jobs

Now it's time to start searching for an advanced engineer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

What is an advanced engineer and how to become one

What general advice would you give to an advanced engineer?

Advanced engineer career paths

Key steps to become an advanced engineer

Explore advanced engineer education requirements

Most common advanced engineer degrees

Start to develop specific advanced engineer skills

Complete relevant advanced engineer training and internships

Research advanced engineer duties and responsibilities

Apply for advanced engineer jobs

How did you land your first advanced engineer job

Average advanced engineer salary

How do advanced engineers rate their job?

Advanced engineer jobs by state